Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 3rd May 2026
Last updated
Sat 2nd May 26 at
4:19PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fog and patchy drizzle in Scotland, cloud most persistent east highlands. Rain over southeast Scotland and English mountains most or all day, extensive low fog over the Pennines; becoming wet underfoot with fast-flowing streams. Patchy rain and fog in Wales too, a risk of heavy afternoon showers.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Extensive fog lifts to upper slopes; chilly, particularly north
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 10mph in the morning, easing into a lull with variable direction for most of the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Some early fine drizzle in cloud on high terrain, this fading. The hills substantially dry, but generally a damp, murky feeling. Small risk of an odd drizzly shower.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive but bases will lift
A blanket of low fog shrouds the hills in the morning, down to glen level in the east. A lifting trend with time, bases approaching 800-900m, some local higher breaks over the south Monadhliath. High Cairngorms likely in cloud all day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, rising to 50% Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast well into the day, a few glimpses of sun my break out later. Poor visibility to start from low fog, but becoming excellent where fog lifts.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C at dawn, or locally 1C northern Cairngorms. Lifting to 4C, locally a degree or two milder near Drumochter.
Freezing Level
Just above the summits at dawn, lifting higher. A few light patchy frosts in some glens and corries at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 4th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 2nd May 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 15-20mph, strongest northern hills, and perhaps an easing trend with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small.
How Wet?
Increasingly showery
Frequently dry; although scattered showers developing middle of day. These may merge in afternoon to give an hour or two of constant rain in places. Total rainfall probably small.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud-free dawn, filling in afternoon
Little or no cloud from dawn, perhaps just summit patches but these soon clear. Patchy cloud begins forming to tops as afternoon arrives, lowering with time, towards 600m as rain arrives.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% lowering to 30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny morning with excellent visibility, cloud gradually covering the sky with time.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, rising by mid afternoon to 4 to 6C, warmest more southern ranges. May sharply cool north as dusk approaches.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but there may be a few patchy light valley frosts. Lowering towards 1100m late.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 5th May 2026
Last updated
Sat 2nd May 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph and often less. Some gustiness around showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Snow showers
Snow showers drift from the north much of the day, some drier periods, but also at times clustering together in larger groups.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive early, lifting to highest terrain
Extensive high Cairngorms and southern slopes at dawn, locally to lower elevations; patchy northern Cairngorms. Lifting and breaking through morning, hills often clear, but caps may cling to eastern Cairngorms, more extensive banks during rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, though cloudier south for several early hours. Very good visibility but deteriorating in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0C, or +1C near Drumochter.
Freezing Level
500m, lower towards Inverness, patchy frosts in glens. Lifting to 900m.
Planning Outlook
Chilly temperatures on the mountains most or all week, particularly across the Scottish Highlands where fresh snow in some areas and freezing level sometimes below 750m; some overnight frosts developing in the glens and corries, though always thawing soon after sunrise. Mixed weather with showers drifting around the country, though total rainfall will be fairly small. Wind often light as well, though variable afternoon breezes will form, particularly around showers where gusts may be suddenly strong. Local low fog in the mornings, typically lifting towards or above many summits; a mix of high cloud and sun for most. Detail uncertain into next weekend, but lowering pressure brings an increased risk of wind and rain.